(Appeals filed against the judgment of conviction and sentence dated 05.02.2003 in S.C.No.161 of 1998 on the file of the Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Fast Track Court No.1, Chinglepattu.)

M. Karpagavinayagam, J

The appellants in Crl.A.No.527 of 2003 and the appellant in Crl.A.No.466 of 2003 are A-1 and A-3; and A-2 respectively in S.C.No.161 of 1998 on the file of the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Fast Track Court No.I, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram Division. They were convicted for the offences punishable (i) under Sections 449 IPC and each sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay a fine of Rs.1000/-, in default, to undergo one year rigorous imprisonment; (ii) under Section 394 r/w 397 IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay a fine of Rs.1000/-, in default, to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and (iii) under 302 r/w 34 IPC and sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.2000/-, in default, to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year. Challenging the same, the appellants have filed the above appeals.

2. The short facts leadin